1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C Short Chassis

SOLD

Specifications

VIN

11024

Mileage

8078 mil / 13,001 km

Body Style

Convertible / Roadster

Transmission

Manual

Engine Displacement

195 BHP / 198 PS / 146 kW 7982 cc

Fuel Type

Petrol

Description

The roaring twenties; a time of new technologies, jazz, and swinging good times! Along with the first round-the-world-flight, and George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, this 1924 Hispano Suiza H6C Roadster was a masterpiece crafted in this time of opportunities and legends.
This classically elegant and exceptional machine was one of the early H6C known as the Type Sports 110X140 with the 8 Liter and it boasts a rich history that is absolutely intriguing. This Hispano Suiza H6C was invoiced to the London agents on January 16, 1925, so establishing it as a short chassis sports car according to the invoice listings. On January 18, the car was sold to R.B.Howey, who owned property in Australia including Howey Court in the heart of Melbourne CBD. He fitted this machine with a close coupled four-seat boat tailed body. It was then delivered to Howey's brother, Captain John.F.P Howey in Scotland. Captain Howey was a well-known amateur race car driver and drove the H6C in a West Kent MC meeting at Brooklands on July 11, 1925, winning the event in which it was entered!

The beginning of the company "Fabrica La Hispano Suiza de Automovils" began in 1904, and Marc Birkigt, a French engineer, joined the Barcelona; Spain based company shortly after its inception. When Hispano-Suiza was formed, they first found success producing trucks to fulfill the utilitarian needs in the rough terrain of Spain. The company also built cars that soon gained a reputation for reliability and performance and were subsequently sold to European heads of state who desired only the best of the best. In 1911, a factory in Paris was opened to satisfy the demands from their French clientele. A larger factory was built three years later in Bois-Colombes. The production of these facilities focused primarily on the H6, a desirable automobile that was revolutionary; offering speed, luxury, quality and an unequaled level of craftsmanship. These legendary cars were winners in races and seen in social circles of the most elite clientele of the day. In 1919, an H6 powered by a 6.6-liter overhead cam aluminum six-cylinder engine offering 135 horsepower and a top speed of 85 mph was also introduced. One of the more advanced features found on the H6 was the power-assisted brakes, the first in the industry, driven with a special shaft from the transmission. Upon deceleration, the cars momentum drove the brake servo to provide additional power. There were around 2,350 examples of the H6 produced through 1933. As was customary at the time, Hispano Suiza delivered the rolling-chassis H6 to custom coach builder for assembly. This resulted in unique and custom bodies that complimented the power, ingenuity and performance of the components of the chassis. Only the finest coach builders were commissioned to build the bodies, as is illustrated with this extraordinary 1924 H6C.

The automobiles produced by Hispano Suiza were truly unrivaled, as no expenses were spared on their masterful and meticulous creation. Befitting its prestigious and esteemed status, this glorious machine has taken its place among the world's elite in the Pebble Beach Concourse Standard and has been applauded for its authenticity, function, history, and style.